Dad’s gone.. but I’ll keep dream alive
THE heartbroken son of Leicester City’s owner last night vowed to fulfil his dad’s “big visions and dreams” for the club.
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s son Aiyawatt – known as Top – said he had been left a “very big mission and legacy” by his billionaire father.
The 33-year-old said the helicopter tragedy that killed his father had made him “realise how important dad was to many people all over the world”.
He plans to honour him by striving to try to fulfil Vichai’s dream of turning Leicester into one of the giants of European football.
Vichai, 60, was among five to perish when his AgustaWestland AW169 chopper plunged to the ground and burst into flames moments after taking off from the pitch at City’s King Power Stadium following Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw against West Ham.
Air accident investigators are examining the helicopter’s black box flight recorder in a bid to determine what caused the crash.
Experts believe it suffered tail rotor problems either due to a mechanical failure or hitting an object such as a bird or drone.
Its manufacturer said it was the first accident in the history of that type of helicopter.
Aiyawatt broke down in tears as he joined fans viewing thousands of floral tributes to his father left at the stadium.
He yesterday paid a moving tribute to his dad on social media describing him as his “mentor and role model”.